Gravity-feed can-marking machine.



E. A. VARY.

GRAVITY FEED CAN MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7, 1913.

1 80,504, Patfinted Dec. 2, 1913.

2 BHIIB'I'B-SHEET 1.

I 8 I 31mentor UQ% witnesses attorney;

B. A. VARY.

GRAVITY FEED CAN MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APB..7, 191a.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Zhwentor OFFICE.

' ELMER .A. VARY, OF MIDDLEPOBT, NEW YORK.

GRAVITY-FEED CAN-MARKING MACHINE.

1,oso,5o4.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

Application filed Apr-11 7, 1913. Serial No. 759,484.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER A. VARY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Middlepo-rt, in-the county of Niagara and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gravity- Feed Can-Marking Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to machines for printing upon can receptacles, particularly cylindrical cans, and an ob ect of the 111- vention is to provide such a printing machine with devices adapted to be actuated by the weight of the can to be printed.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for allowing one can tobe printed at a time, this means also being formed so as to guide the can as the same 1s being printed, said means being made adjustable with respect to the frame of the machine if desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a printing cylinder adapted to be rotated by a suitable mechanism actuated by the passing can, means being provided for locking the printing cylinder in a number of fixed positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for printing upon cans or receptacles which will have the actuating devices made as simple as possible.

Nit-h these and other objectsin view, the invention consists in certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of the parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, and then specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings where like reference char acters designate corresponding parts: Figure 1 is a side elevation of part of a track equipped with the printing machine forming the subject-matter of th s 1nvent1on; Fig. 2 is an end view of the printing mechanism, this view being taken from the receiving end; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the printing machine taken upon the reverse side from that shown in Fig. 1, and enlarged; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the machine as seen in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a vertical sect-ion through the printing cylinder and inking mechanism, being taken upon the line 5--5 of Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a detail section view taken through part of the printing cylinder, showing means for locking the printing plates to the cylinder.

The machine forming the subject-matter of the present invention is designed to be secured on the under side of tracks or other suitable ways leading from the delivery end of the usual sealin machine, such tracks being inclined somew 12kt to give the receptacles or cans carried thereon, the desirable pitch.

The invention aims broadly, to provide a series of fingers adapted to be tripped by the rolling cans or receptacles, there being operatively connected to the fingers a printing cylinder coacting with the suitable inking mechanism, this cylinder being provided with means for locking the same in a plurality of predetermined positions. The rolling can is guided over the printing plates carried by the printing cylinder by means of a pair of fingers normally inclined upwardly, but serving to be depressed by the can in order to guide the same, there being secured to these guiding fingers a. trip or heel for the purpose of admitting one can to the machine at a time.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, where one embodiment of the invention is shown, the machine is shown as secured to the under side of tracks or ways 1, these tracks or ways being of the construction usually in use at the delivery end of ordinary sealing machines, the sealing Inachines not being shown in the drawings. The side bars 2 of the frame of the printing machine are secured in any suitable man ner to the tracks, 1, flat headed screws being shown for this purpose in Fig. 1. Depending from the side bars 2, are hangers 3-3 in which is journaled a shaft 4, which has secured to its outer ends spiders 5--5. These spiders are provided with a plurality of lingers 6, four being shown in the drawings in each spider, but any number found desirable could be used. The ends of these fingers 7 are bent at an angle to the shank of the finger so as to allow the can to slide freely thereovcr after the spider has turned through a predetermined angle. \Vith the type of spider shown in the drawings, the passage of one can through the machine, will turn the spider one quarter of a revolution, and therefore the shaft 4 will also be turned one quarter of a revolution.

In order that the cans may be given a suitable stamp or identification mark, there is provided a printing cylinder 8, this cylinder 8 being rigidly secured to a shaft 9, preferably at right angles to the shaft 4. In order that the cylinder 8 may be turned with the spider 5, there is secured upon the shaft 4, a beveled gear 10 which engages a similar and equal beveled gear 11 mounted upon one end of the shaft 9. Connected across the side bars 2 of the frame, is a hanger 12, in which the shaft 9 is designed to be journaled, the outer end of the shaft 9 being journaled in a stud'13 depending from the end 14 of the frame adjoining the side bars 2.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 5, the cylinder 8 is provided with flat portions 14 out upon the ends 15 of the cylinder. The end 14' has extending therefrom lugs 16 adapted to receive a pin 17 or other pivot, this pivot 17 passing through a depending portion 18 of a locking plate 19, this looking plate 19 being provided with an extended end 20 adapted to register with the flat portions 14 of the cylinder and hold the evlinder against rotation. Extending approximately at right angles to the plate 19, is an arm 21 in which is secured one end of a leaf spring 22, the lower end of which is rounded as at 23, to slidably engage a depending arm 24 secured to the bearing 13. The lower end of the arm 21 carries a screw 25 provided with a thumb nut, there being a set screw 26 for locking the screw 25 in any adjusted position. By means of this adjusting screw and the leaf spring 22, the tension of the extending end 20 of the looking plate 19 against the flat ends 14 of the cylinder, may be varied.

The printing cylinder 8 proper, comprises a hollow cylinder 27 through which passes the shaft 9, and which carries at each end thereof the cylinder ends 28 and 29. As shown in Fig. 6, the cylinder end 28 is provided with a plurality of bearings 30 adapted to receive pins 31 extending from the backing 32 carrying the printing plate or type 33. The opposite end of each of the backings 32 is provided with a pin 34 adapted to slip into an open bearing 35, the bearings 30 and 35 serving to prevent lateral movement of the backing 32. Secured upon the end 28 of the cylinder 8, is a plurality of springs 36, there being provided one spring for each of the backings 32, the free end of the springs 36 being provided with a nose adapted to engage the oppositely extending end of the pin 34. By this construction, when it is desired to fasten the backings 32 to the cylinder 8, the pin 32 is slipped to the end of the bearing 30, after which the pin 34 is slipped into the open bearing 35 against the tension of the spring 36, the spring 36 snapping back in place over the pin 34 to hold the bac' .ing securely to the cylinder. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, both the ends 28 and 29 are provided with tread portions 37 these tread portions being provided with flats 38, these flats 38 being parallel to the corresponding flat portions 14 of the cylinder ends 28 and 29. By reason of the pins at the ends of the backing and the flats 38, the backings are held securely in place. The backings 32 are so formed as to receive a printing plate 33, this impression late 33 being made of metal or rubber, the latter construction being preferable when the machine is to be used in connection with metal cans. If it should not be desired to make the printing surface in one block, as will be necessary when a printing plate is used, individual type can be used, under which circumstances the type will be arranged in the groove 39 formed in the outer surface of each of the backings 32, the type adjacent the delivery end of the machine having its bearing against the end 29, while the type at the opposite end of the backing may have its bearing against the spring 36. It is to be understood that each of'the backings 32 is provided with the same printing plate or type.

Cotiperating with the printing plates of the cylinder is a suitable inking mechanism, this inking mechanism in the drawings being designated generally at 40, the particular embodiment of the inking mechanism shown in the drawings comprising a housing 41 having a hinged opening 42 for the purpose of inking a suitable. roller 43, the roller 43 being j ournaled in depending arms 44, while the housing may be secured to the hangers 44 in any suitable manner, such as by having the hangers 44 pass through ways 45 secured to the ends of the housing. The upper ends of the hangers 44 are carried by a shaft 46 journaled in bearings 47 secured in any suitable manner to one of the side bars 2. In order to hold the roller 43 in such a position as to be engaged by the type or printing surface carried by the cylinder 8, there is provided a suitable spring 48, one end of which spring may be secured to one of the hangers 44, while the other end of the spring is secured to the central hanger 12 which bridges the side bars 2 of the frame. The housing is cut away as shown in Fig. 5 so that the spring 48 will hold the roller in a position to be engaged by the printing plate as the cylinder is rotated.

Secured in the side bars 2, is a pintle 49 which serves as a means for pivoting a pair of fingers 50. Cast integral with the fingers 50 and upon the opposite side of the pintle 49, is a pair of weights 51, these weights being sufficient/in the normal operation of the machine for holding the fingers 50 normally inclined upwardly. Secured to the weights 51, or cast integral therewith, as may be desired, is a trip 52. The end of the trip is so spaced with respect to the bent end 7 of the fingers 6- as to pass one can at a time, the 'assing of the can serving to rotate the shaft 4 through one quarter of a revolution as previousl described, this partial rotation of the sha 4 resulting in a quarter rotation of the shaft 9 by means of'the equal meshin beveled gears 10 and 11. The rotation 0 the shaft 9 will carry the cylinder 8 through a quarter revolution, forcing one of the printing plates over the inking roller 43. The flat surfaces 14 on the end 29 of the cylinder are so related with res ct to the spider 5, that when the bent on s 7 of the fingers 6 release one of the cams, the locking plate 19 will register accurately with one of the cut portions 14 so that the cylinder will be held in a fixed position, it being obvious that the ra idity of rotation and operation of the cylin er is controllable bymeans of the leaf spring 22 and adjustable screw 25.

Depending from the arm carryin the trip 52 is a pin 53, this pin 53 bein ma e adj ustable by means of a screw 54 if desired, the lower end of the screw or pin, as the case may be, being adapted to rest upon the shaft 4 so as to vary or limit the downward position of the trip 52.

As a. can rolls down the track 1, and the trip 52 is in its lowermost position by reason of the weight 51, the advancing can will rotate the spider 5, as already described, and also rotate the printing cylinder 8, it being necessary in the starting of the operation of this machine, to rotate the cylinder 8 until one of the upwardly facing plates has fresh ink thereon from the roller 43. As the fingers release the can, the same will continue to move downwardly and be caught by the upwardly inclined guides 50, the guides 50 being wide enough to retard each side of the can uniformly. The weights 51 are made sufficiently heavy not only to hold the guides 50 normally upwardly, but also heavy enough to offer sufficient resistance to the downward travel of the can to slightly retard the motion of the can as the same passes over the inking surface. By reason of the spaced guides 50, shown in Fig. 4, it will not be possible for one end of the can to become more advanced than the other, so that the can or receptacle will slide over the printed surface with the axis of rotation substantially at a right angle to the axis of the backing plates 32. Also, as the can continues to depress the guides 50, it will be noted that the trip 52 will be raised, this trip 52 in its raised position serving to check the advance of the next can. It will be necessary of course to have the printed surface extend sufficiently beyond the plane of the top of the frame and side bars 2, to enable the guides -50 to descend far enough to allow the can to engage the printed surface. As soon as the can leaves the end of &

:the guides 50, the weight 51 will draw the ftrip 52 downwardly, and at the same time Iforce the guides 50 in their normal position at which time a second can will be passed throu h the machine. The passing of the second can through the spider 5 W111 result :in rotating the said spider through another quarter of a revolution with a corresponding quarter revolution of the printing cylinder 8 so that as each can passes through the machine, there is resented a fresh inking surface. Obvious y, if it is desired to identify all of the cans with the same mark, each of the printing plates 33 will be similar. However, if it be desired to mark alternate cans with different identification marks, the adjacent printing plates 33 may have different printing surfaces. l/Vhile four fingers have been shown on the spider 5, and four printing plates upon the printing cylinder, yet it is to be understood that any suitable nu1nher of fingers and printing plates may be used, it being desirable in the particular form of actuating means shown, namely, the beveled gears, to have as many printing plates upon the cylinder as there are fin ers. l' owever, it will be within the scope o the invention to vary the relation of the beveled pinions so that as each finger is moved a freshly inked printing plate will be presented between the guides 50. Whatever the construction of the cylinder 8, it will be necessary to allow the guides 50 to be raised sufficiently to clear the printing plates before the latter are rotated to their new positions.

The printing mechanism shown herein is one of a number of accepted forms which can be used, and I do not wish to be limited to the use of the formation shown. 1 do not wish to be limited to the particular positioning of the inking mechanism as shown in the drawings, insomuch as it may be desirable under certain conditions, to have the printing plates pass directly from the inking mechanism to the printing position. Also, I do not wish to be limited-to the particular form of means for locking the printing cylinder in a fixcdposition as shown in the drawings, insomuch as the mechanism there shown, may be disposed in operative relation to the end of the cylinder in different parts of the frame from that shown in the drawings. Further, I do not wish to be limited to the specific form of transferring the rotary motion from the shaft carrying the spider and fingers and shaft carrying the'cylinder, but merely show this form insomuch as the same is free from the use of belts and insures a positive action.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In combination with an inclined track for receptacles, means for passing one receptacle along the track at a time, a printing drum adapted to be operated by the receptacle as the latter passes along the tracks, a plurality of printing plates carried by the drum, and means for holding the plates infixed position while the receptacle passes thereover.

2. In combination with an inclined track for receptacles, a rotatably mounted drum carrying printing plates, the axis of the drum being parallel to the tracks, a forked guiding member pivotally mounted and having the prongs adapted to lie upon each side of one of the printing plates, means carried by the fork adapted to check the passage of receptacles on the track when the prongs lie on 'each side of one of the printing plates, said means being thrown into position as the prongs are depressed by a receptacle.

3. The combination with an inclined track for receptacles, a drum rotatably mounted, a plurality of printing plates carried by the drum, a pivoted member adapted to pass one receptacle at a time, forks secured to the pivoted member and adapted to guide the receptacle. I

4. The combination with an inclined track for receptacles, of a rotatably mounted drum, a plurality of printing plates carried by the drum, means adapted to pass one'receptacle at a time, means for rotating the drum a fixed distance as each""receptacle passes, guides actuated by the means for guiding the receptacle, and means actuated by the guides as the same are depressed for preventing passage o-f other receptacles.

5. The combination with an inclined track for receptacles, of a rotatably mounted drum carrying a plurality of printing plates, pivoted means for passing one receptacle at a time to the drum, guide forks rigid with said means adapted to surround a printing plate when the plate is printing a receptacle, the forks rising to permit the rotation of the drum and move the pivoted means to pass another can.

6. In combination with an inclined track for receptacles, obstructions arranged along the track in the path of the receptacles, a printing mechanism arranged in the path of the receptacles, means for actuating the printing mechanism as the receptacle engages the obstructions, the receptacle being out of engagement with the obstruct-ions as said receptacle passes over the printing mechanism.

7. The combination with an inclined track for receptacles, obstructions arranged along the track in the path of the receptacles, printing mechanism arranged in the path of the receptacles parallel to said track, means for operating the printing mechanism as the receptacle engages the obstructions, the receptacle being out of engagement wlth the obstructions when the same engage the printing mechanism, and means for holding the printing mechanism in fixed position as the receptacle passes thereover.

8. In combination with a track along which receptacles are adapted to pass, obstructions arranged along the track in the path of the receptacles, a printing mechanism arranged in the path of the receptacles, means interposed between the obstructions and printing mechanism adapted to present a freshly' inked printing surface as the receptacle engages the obstructions, the receptacle being out of engagement with the obstructions as said receptacle engages the printing surface of the printing mecha- ELllIER A. VARY.

Witnesses I I E. VAN VVERTwIoK, RAYMOND M. DECKER. 

